Welcome to the seventh episode of the Pokemon Entertainment league. This is a good one as we will actually be watch another battle between two competitors that aren't the main characters. Hope you enjoy it and don't forget to review afterwards.
March 8th Part 2 (Season 1 Episode 7)
Roddy and I have just finished up our first interviews at the Pokemon Entertainment League and in conclusion mine felt like it went well but the opposite was true for Roddy, yet he doesn't seem all that anxious about it. If anything he is quite calm about it all. I am not sure why but I wasn't going to be anxious for him. Then again maybe that is who he is, I forget that we only met two days ago, so I don't really know him.
We both take a minor pit stop off at Roddy's apartment so he can drop off his jacket and then we head to the Orange Stadium where we get to watch the match between Darren James and Greg Brown. A controversial match due to the former's training style.
On arriving at the stadium, surprisingly I see quite a lot of people milling around and wonder if they are all here to watch the match.
"There certainly are a lot of people here." I wonder out loud.
"Probably either wanting to see the match or just hang around for the results. Darren James does bring out the competitive side of people."
Soon enough we get into the stadium and start heading towards the stands so we can get a good spot to watch the match. The match would start in roughly ten minutes and soon enough the stadium is nearly eighty percent full. We sit roughly in about the middle of the field so we have a good view of both sides.
"So what is your bet on how this match will go?" Roddy asks me after we have been seating for a few minutes.
"Honestly I won't be surprised if Darren wins with two pokemon remaining. I will be a bit surprised if he wins with a shutout. But I will be extremely shocked if he loses." I answer.
"I agree with you. There is no way he will lose this match. Sadly, Greg Brown is a high ranking competitive trainer and doesn't seem to have the battling skills to be able to keep up with someone like Darren James." he responses.
"Hey, is it possible for you to bring up Darren's profile on your PDA? I want to know more about his championship history." Roddy nods, bringing out his PDA and bringing up Darren's profile.
"So he has been in the PEL for about two and a half years. He has three Pokechampions, one PokeLeague Championship, and one Choice Championship. Unlike other trainers, he doesn't seem to be good at sharing or team work so I don't see him getting a Double Battle Championship or a Tag Team Championship." He responds.
I'm not surprised by the spread. Showcasing power is what he does best and Pokechampions are all about one pokemon's power. Just like Pokeleague champions are all about showcasing a trainer's abilities.
"Do you know what he used his Choice Championship for?"
"It was to get a title match for the Pokeleague Championship, which he ended up winning. He only had the championship for roughly 2 months. It seems once he gets to a top spot somewhere he easily falls. He's never held a championship for more than 3 months." Roddy responds.
It wasn't surprising, he was so controversial that no one wanted him to be in the top spot and when he did get to that point anyone would do anything to take him down. He was strong and it took a lot to stop him but he was predictable and that was one of his weaknesses. Before I could say anything else an announcer started talking.
"This is a three vs three single Pokemon match, first introducing Greg Brown." The announcer gives his name a triumphant calling.
From one side of the field walks out a black short haired, lean man who looked no older than I am. He is wearing a black t-shirt and brown pants. From wear I am sitting I can see what looks like a tattoo covering his upper arm. What it is I can't tell. He looks calm and I am not sure if he understands the challenge that is coming up.
"Next introducing his opponent, Darren James." With that you can feel the tension in the air as Darren comes out on the other side of the field.
Darren James is a man that just looks either angry or uncaring all the time. He has dark shoulder length brown hair and is wearing a black button down shirt with jeans. He looks a bit older than Roddy but still young. Standing on his side of the field the referee came up to the middle of the field.
"This is a three vs three single Pokemon match. There will be no time limit and no substitutions. The match will be decided when all three of either trainer's pokemon are unable to battle. Now send out your first pokemon." The referee boomed into the microphone he had attached to his head, allowing the stadium to hear what he says.
Darren enlarges a pokeball and throws it to the field, "Watchog, you're first." Out appears the lookout pokemon and it looks fierce. I vaguely remember Watchog being a part of Darren's team in the latter part of the last year. Now I will be seeing just how good he is up close.
Greg enlarges a pokeball and throws it out to the field, "Ferrothorn, you can do this." Out appears the Thorn Pod pokemon, who looks ready for a fight.
"Now let the battle begin." The referee announces.
"Watchog, start things off with Slam." Darren commands.
Watchog doesn't even hesitant going after its opponent. Running at it with its tail extended, Its tail turns white and does a flip in the air aiming at Ferrothorn.
"Ferrothorn, use Iron Defense." The command from Greg is quick and just in time as Ferrothorn moves its appendages to the top of its head and starts glowing a grey color. Watchog's tail comes down on Ferrothorn and bounces back doing no damage. "Now use Rollout." Greg tells his pokemon.
Ferrothorn folds up its appendages against its body and rolls at Watchog.
"Stop the attack." Darren tells Watchog. I hear audible gasps around me and realize that Watchog is standing like its ready to just catch Ferrothorn in its hands. Ferrothorn gets closer and closer and Watchog tenses up until there is a clash between the two and Watchog has its hands out against Ferrothorn basically stopping it in its tracks.
"It's strong!" Roddy reacts surprisingly. I share the same surprise, seeing Watchog able to stop the attack with just its bare hands and strength. It shows the type of pokemon it is along with the type of trainer Darren is.
"Now use Fling." Darren commands. Watchog grips Ferrothorn tightly and suddenly lifts it off the ground. The audience gasps at the strength, but it doesn't stop there. Watchog, straining a bit spins around and throws it across the field. Ferrothorn lands on the ground hard and looks like it's in pain.
"Ferrothorn, can you continue?" Greg asks. Ferrothorn stands up and looks like it's ready for the challenge. "Good, now use Sandstorm." Ferrothorn starts spinning around and with that it creates a tornado of sand. "Good, now attack Watchog with it." Ferrothorn then sends the tornado right at Watchog.
"Watchog, dodge it."
Watchog leaps away from the tornado of sand and it fizzles out without doing any damage. "I know what your strategy is Greg. It's not going to work, I am leaps and bounds ahead of you in terms of skill." Greg looks like he is offended by that statement.
"Well I will show you skill. Ferrothorn use Sandstorm again." Ferrothorn starts spinning around again creating the sandstorm. But I notice that Darren looks unimpressed while Greg looks intense. I sense something is up.
"Into the Sandstorm, Watchog," A sudden gasp emanated from the audience as Watchog rushed towards the starting attack and jumps at it. "Use Slam!" Darren yells from his side. No one can see into the sandstorm but suddenly there is a cry of pain and the Sandstorm stops abruptly. From the dissipating sand I see Watchog standing a few meters away or so away from Ferrothorn, who looks like is stuck in the sand.
"Ferrothorn looks to be in a precarious situation." Roddy says to me. I agree.
"Watchog, use Focus Energy," Watchog starts tensing up its body and I could see a slight orange glow surrounding the Pokemon. "Now use Giga Impact!" Darren commands. Watchog's body starts turning white and it charges at Ferrothorn who can't move from its position in the ground. In a couple of second it crosses the field and smashes its whole body into Ferrothorn, knocking it out from the ground and onto the field in a faint.
"Ferrothorn is unable to battle. Watchog is the winner." The referee says. With this Greg returns Ferrothorn back to its pokeball and enlarges another one.
"Staryu, you're up." Throwing the pokeball out comes the Star Shape Pokemon ready for battle.
"Begin!" yells the referee.
"Staryu, use Swift." Staryu starts sending out stars from its gem which flies towards Watchog.
"Take the attack," I could hear people audible gasping at the strange and almost cruel request. The stars rush towards Watchog and, without even flinching, takes the attack. "Now use Slam." Watchog, brushing off the attack it previously took, rushes towards Staryu in a surprising bout of speed and leaps off the ground. It does a flip in midair and, with its tail glowing white, throws its tail into Staryu. Staryu is then knocked back to the far side of the field, looking quite injured, tired and slumping towards the ground.
"Staryu, use Recover." Staryu slowly glows white and within a few seconds seems to gain back its strength and looks just as strong as it did before.
"Not a bad move," Roddy says. "I think Greg's plan is to go a more defensive route, trying to outlast Darren's all out attacks." But would it work? So far it wasn't looking promising.
"Now Staryu, use Swift." Once again Staryu sends out stars from its center gem.
"Watchog, use Giga Impact." Watchog starts running towards Staryu and glows white in the process. The Swift attack hits it but seem to do no damage as Watchog charges through all of them. Watchog then slams into Staryu and sends it flying back, hitting the wall of the stadium, and effectively knocking it out. Audible gasps are heard throughout the stadium in the surprising twist.
"Staryu is unable to battle. Watchog is the winner." The referee states. Greg, surprised beyond belief, enlarges a pokeball and returns Staryu to it.
"Maybe this is going to be a shutout." I say to Roddy. I turn to him and see that he has a tense look on his face.
"I don't see how he can lose." He says without looking at me. I look back at the field to see Greg with his last pokeball in hand.
"Golem, let's do our best." He throws the pokeball and out comes the Megaton pokemon, it gives a loud roar as it looks on at its opponent.
"Maybe it won't be as much of a shutout as I think it will be." Roddy says while I smile hoping he is right.
"Golem, start out with Earthquake." Golem jumps high up in the air and with its full weight slams back into the ground sending shockwaves throughout the field.
Watchog starts shaking from the ground's movements. It nearly falls a couple of times but keeps itself right up. "Giga Impact." Darren commands his Watchog. Watchog steadies itself against the shaking and starts charging at Golem. It starts glowing white and leaps at Golem colliding with it directly. Golem though looks unaffected after the attack goes through.
"Golem, try out Rock Throw." Golem pulls out two large boulders from the ground and chucks them at Watchog. I realize that Watchog isn't doing anything to try and dodge them and Darren doesn't look worried. The boulders both hit Watchog who is knocked down to the ground and doesn't get back up.
"Watchog is unable to battle. Golem is the winner." The referee announces. There is some nervous chatter amongst the audience, people wondering what is going to happen now. Darren returns Watchog back to its pokeball and barely gives it a look before enlarging another pokeball.
"Flaaffy, don't disappoint me now." That sent out a collection of whispers as the Wool pokemon is sent out to combat such a large pokemon.
"That's a very unorthodox type of matchup. Golem isn't affected by electric type attacks plus he has another pokemon he can depend on. Why use Flaaffy?" I ask Roddy.
"Flaaffy is a test pokemon that Darren has been using for a couple of months." Roddy tells me.
"Is it good?"
"More than likely, it has the potential to become as good as Watchog is. Problem is Darren may see potential but if he doesn't see results in good time then they aren't worth it to him." Now I see why he wants Flaaffy to battle Golem. To see how good it is in a tight situation.
"Flaaffy, use Take Down on Golem." Flaaffy, without pause, starts charging at Golem.
"Golem, use Rock Throw." Greg commands back. Golem picks up a large boulder from the ground and chucks it at the charging Flaaffy.
"Flaaffy, counter with Thunder." Flaaffy jumps into the air and lets off a large electrical attack from its whole body. The Thunder attack strikes the boulder in the center and it explodes into tiny pieces, effectively stopping the attack. With that, Flaaffy continues charging at Golem and successfully slams into Golem, albeit not as effective as it hoped it would be.
"It seems like it's a stalemate. Golem has power but Flaaffy has the power to stop Golem's attacks." I say. Roddy only nods and I realize just how much focus he's putting in the match.
"Golem, use Rollout." Golem pulls itself into its shell and starts rolling at Flaaffy who is quite tiny compared to the large boulder.
"Flaaffy, jump over it." Flaaffy did as it was commanded to and jumps effortlessly over the rolling rock but I can tell the attack is speeding up quite a bit. "Use Thunder and try and stop it." Flaaffy let loose the powerful electric attack. It struck Golem directly but didn't affect it in any way. Due to the launch of the attack though Flaaffy doesn't have time to dodge away from the rollout and is struck directly from it.
"Yikes." I said and realize that no one would respond since everyone is so engrossed in the match. Yet, Golem is still rolling on and Flaaffy is having a difficult time standing up.
"Get up!" Darren yells at Flaaffy who is struggling to maintain its balance. Golem rolls around the field once again and charges directly towards the battered pokemon. "Dodge that now!" But everyone can tell that the first attack was too much for it and the Rollout strikes its mark and Flaaffy falls to the field close to its trainer.
"Flaaffy is unable to battle, Golem is the winner." Darren returns his Flaaffy as Golem stops rolling around and marches back to its side of the field. Darren gives one last look at his pokeball before putting it away.
"That was abysmal." Darren spoke up. That got a lot of murmurs from the crowd and I could hear a few people questioning why he would say that knowing that Flaaffy was going to have a difficult time. He pulls out his last pokeball and throws it. "Pinsir, end this." Darren commands and out pops his Stag Beetle Pokemon. It is looking down but after a few seconds looks up at Golem with an intense stare and I can tell it is serious about this match.
"Golem, use Rollout." Greg commands. I can tell he wants to try and end this as quickly as possible. But something makes me feel like this wasn't going to go the way he wants it to. Golem goes into its rock shell and starts moving quite quickly towards Pinsir. Pinsir doesn't look phased at the large boulder rolling toward it.
"Pinsir, stop it." Darren says calmly and clearly. Just before Golem is about to make contact with Pinsir, Pinsir holds out its arms and effectively stops Golem's attack. A lot of people in the stadium gasp and even Greg looks impressed at the strength of Pinsir. "Now use Guillotine!" Darren commands proudly.
Pinsir moves its horns and grabs Golem with them. In a quick move it jumps in the air and does a sort of back flip and then slams Golem directly into the ground. Pinsir gets up without any injuries and looks down at the downed Golem.
"Golem is unable to battle. The winner is Pinsir and the winner of the match is Darren." There were some cheering around the stadium but I think a lot of people were extremely shocked at the quick result of that battle. Darren and Greg both returned their pokemon and left the battlefield.
"What do you think?" I ask Roddy who for the first time in a while looks back at me.
"I am thoroughly impressed and really hope one day I can battle him." I nod back thinking the same thing. "It would be great to bring him down a peg or two." I never realized that we both seemed to have the same thought process.
Thank you for reading. Please review and tell me what you thought of this chapter. Also answer these questions to help me out a bit more
1) What did you think of the character of Darren James?
2) Did you like the team for him?
3) What did you think about the point of Flaaffy as his test pokemon?
Next up we will be seeing the Tag Team Champions, Lara and Ryan, in a battle. How will they be? You'll have to keep reading.